Course: Professional Graduate Programme In Civil
Engineering
Subject: Bridges Design
Subject Code: GPCE0601
Module Code: GPCE060101
Category: Civil Engineering
Topic: Introduction to Bridge design
Faculty Name: Kushagra Rawal
Introduction to Bridge design)
Learning Outcome:
You will learn about components, classifications and identification of
bridges.
INTRODUCTION
COMPONENTS OF A BRIDGE
The components of a bridge can mainly be split into the following three
(1) Sub-structure:
(2) Super-structure; and
(3) Adjoining structures
International Institute of Management & Technical Studies
B-56, Pariseema Complex, Opposite to Lal Bungalow, CG Road, Ahmedabad – 380009 Gujarat-
India London (UK) – Ahmedabad (India) – Surat (India) – Mumbai (India)
info@[Link]| [Link] 2
Introduction to Bridge design)
(1) Sub-structure: The components of the bridge up to the level of the bearings
are referred to as the bridge's sub-structure. Piers, abutments, wing walls, and
foundations for the piers, abutments, and wing walls make up this structure. The
sub-structure is a supporting system for the superstructure that transfers the
weight to the subsoil.
(2) Superstructure: The components of the bridge above the level of the
bearings are referred to as the bridge's superstructure. It is made up of beams,
girders, arches, and cables, as well as a parapet wall, flooring, guard stones, and
handrails.
(3) Adjoining structures: Adjoining structures are bridge components such as
approaches, guard stones, bearings, river training works such as guide band,
aprons, etc., revetment for slopes at abutments, and so on.
CLASSIFICATION OF BRIDGES
In terms of a specific or condition, bridges can be classed in a variety of ways.
The following are some of the numerous bridge classifications:
(1) Bridges are categorised as fixed-span bridges or movable bridges based on
the flexibility of the superstructure.
(2)Bridges are classed as deck bridges, through bridges, or semi-through bridges
based on the position of the bridge floor relative to the formation level and the
peak flood discharge.
International Institute of Management & Technical Studies
B-56, Pariseema Complex, Opposite to Lal Bungalow, CG Road, Ahmedabad – 380009 Gujarat-
India London (UK) – Ahmedabad (India) – Surat (India) – Mumbai (India)
info@[Link]| [Link] 3
Introduction to Bridge design)
(3) Bridges are classed as simple, continuous, or cantilever based on their inter
span relationships.
(4) Bridges are classed as arch, bow-string girder, rigid frame, or suspension
bridges based on the shape or kind of superstructure.
(5)Bridges are classed as cement concrete, masonry, steel, or timber bridges
based on the materials of construction employed for the superstructure.
(6) Bridges are classed as bascule, cut-boat, lift, swing, or traverse bridges
based on the manner of clearance for passage.
(7) The bridges are classified as temporary or permanent bridges based on the
estimated useful term of service.
(8) Bridges are classed as road, railway, road-cum-railway, or pipe-line bridges
according on their function.
(9) Steel bridges can be riveted, welded, or pin-connected, depending on the
manner of connection used.
(10) Bridges are classed as culvert, minor, major, or long span bridges based on
their span length.
(11) Bridges are classed as determinate or indeterminate based on their degree
of redundancy.
(12) Bridges are classed as over bridges or under bridges depending on the level
of crossing of highways and railways.
International Institute of Management & Technical Studies
B-56, Pariseema Complex, Opposite to Lal Bungalow, CG Road, Ahmedabad – 380009 Gujarat-
India London (UK) – Ahmedabad (India) – Surat (India) – Mumbai (India)
info@[Link]| [Link] 4
Introduction to Bridge design)
(13) Bridges are classed as straight or skew bridges based on their alignment.
(14) The I.R.C. classifies road bridges and culverts as Class AA based on their
loadings. There are two types of bridges: Class A and Class B.
IMPORTANCE OF BRIDGES
Bridges serve as the most important land links connecting large towns and
cities, and their loss in the event of war or natural disasters halts army or crucial
cargo mobility. The location of a bridge should be carefully chosen based on
strategic considerations, and all necessary precautions and steps should be taken
to keep the bridges in excellent operating order.
Because the army must be capable of quickly constructing new bridges while
advancing and demolishing existing bridges while retreating, the subject of
bridge building is given significant focus during military training.
IDENTIFICATION OF BRIDGES
The Indian Roads Congress developed the code IRC: 7-1971 for identifying or
numbering culverts and bridges in order to have an unified policy of numbering
cross-drainage works along a route. The culverts and bridges on a road are
numbered in serial order, with the number indicated as a fraction, according to
the provisions of this system. The numerator of the number represents the
kilometre in which the structure is located, while the denominator represents the
structure's kilometer-wise serial number.
For example, the fourth cross-drainage structure in the ninth kilometre (between
kilometre stones 8 and 9) will be designated as The structure's number is
inscribed near the top of the left hand side parapet wall as seen by road users in
the end elevation when approaching the structure from each direction.
International Institute of Management & Technical Studies
B-56, Pariseema Complex, Opposite to Lal Bungalow, CG Road, Ahmedabad – 380009 Gujarat-
India London (UK) – Ahmedabad (India) – Surat (India) – Mumbai (India)
info@[Link]| [Link] 5
Introduction to Bridge design)
Separate pillars are built to inscribe the structure number on structures with
railings but no parapet walls. If any new culverts are to be installed between two
existing ones, such as between the fourth and fifth culverts in km 30 (i.e.
between kilometre stones 29 and 30), the new culverts will be identified as 4-1
4-2, and so on.
The above method of identifying bridges, established by the Indian Roads
Congress' specifications and standards committee, has proven to be extremely
useful to bridge maintenance and inspection personnel.
PRELIMINARY DATA TO BE COLLECTED
Preliminary research saves money in the long run by preventing costly mistakes
later on. As a result, the research procedure should be carried out meticulously
and with utmost caution in order to avoid significant errors in the bridge project.
The engineer in charge of a bridge site investigation should gather and analyse
the following information:
(1) the availability of electrical power;
(2) the availability of construction supplies; and
(3) the availability of skilled and unskilled labour for various bridge
construction projects.
(4) Stream or river parameters and hydraulic data
(5) Details of public utility services to be accommodated in the bridge cross-
section, such as telephone cables, water supply lines, and so on
(6) Specifications of existing bridges across the same river
(7) Labor-housing facilities necessary during bridge building
International Institute of Management & Technical Studies
B-56, Pariseema Complex, Opposite to Lal Bungalow, CG Road, Ahmedabad – 380009 Gujarat-
India London (UK) – Ahmedabad (India) – Surat (India) – Mumbai (India)
info@[Link]| [Link] 6
Introduction to Bridge design)
(8) The position of the nearest G.T.S. bench mark, as well as its lowered level:
(9) Modes of conveyance for the materials to be transported:
(10) the river's name and the location of the bridge;
(11) the type of traffic that passes through the bridge site;
(12) needs for navigation;
(13) the requirement for large-scale river training projects;
(14) the chance of earthquakes causing disruptions;
REFERENCES
Bridge Engineering by Rangwala
International Institute of Management & Technical Studies
B-56, Pariseema Complex, Opposite to Lal Bungalow, CG Road, Ahmedabad – 380009 Gujarat-
India London (UK) – Ahmedabad (India) – Surat (India) – Mumbai (India)
info@[Link]| [Link] 7